Captain January is a 1936 American musical comedy-drama film directed by David Butler. The screenplay is based on the 1890 children's book of the same name by Laura E. Richards. The film stars Shirley Temple, Guy Kibbee, and Sara Haden.
Captain January (Kibbee), a kindly lighthouse keeper, has been raising Star (Temple), a sweet, eight-year-old girl whom he rescued after her parents drowned at sea when she was a baby. Truant officer Agatha Morgan (Haden) determines that Star's home schooling is inadequate. Star is then tested and admitted to the third grade.
Captain Nazro, knowing that January will be unable to support Star when the automation of the lighthouse puts him out of a job at the end of the month, writes George Mason, who he believes may be Star's uncle. As the authorities are taking Star from January, her aunt and uncle, who have been out of the country for several years, arrive and assume custody of their niece.
The wealthy Masons take Star to see their new yacht. Star is ecstatic to discover that January is the captain, with Nazro the first mate.
This film provides examples of:
- Abhorrent Admirer: Mrs. Croft, a friendly widow, has been pursuing Captain January, but he loathes the idea of marrying her.
- The Film of the Book: Based on the 1890 children's book of the same name.
- Heartwarming Orphan: Star is one.
- Job-Stealing Robot: Captain January loses his job as a lighthouse keeper when the lighthouse is fully automated.
- Nephewism: Star goes to live with her aunt and uncle rather than an orphanage.
- Orphanage of Fear: Morgan thinks Star belongs in an institution, but no one else wants her to go to such a place.
- Orphan's Plot Trinket: The doll that January gives Star at the beginning of the movie ends up being one when she goes to live with her aunt and uncle.
- Raised by the Community: And Morgan is not happy with the things Star is learning (like spitting) from the local sailors.
